After visiting the Plimoth Plantation Web site earlier in the week, I was inspired to dig out my own hand embroidery project. I’m embarrassed to admit that it has been neglected lately. I love Lavender and Lace Designs, and I started this one a few years ago to celebrate my two daughters. It depicts a mother holding a baby with her young daughter leaning up against her. I usually work on these projects to give to my mother (the walls of her home are graced with several of them) but this one tugged at my heartstrings. I hope to finish it some day and hang it in my own home. Even thought this project is currently on the back burner, my embroidery floss is really organized!

I worked on a fun article for SewStylish Gifts to Makea few months ago that featured machine-stitched note cards. I thought adapting this idea for hand stitching would be cool. You could make a romantic vintage Valentine or a heartfelt note card for someone special.

Using an easy chain stitch and 3 strands of DMC Floss, Barbara, one of the wonderful women I work with, created this simple Valentine…she can give it to her sweetie later! (You can find a good selection of floss and papers at craft stores like AC Moore.)

I used a piece of decorative paper to hide the back of the stitching. Simply cut your decorative paper to the size of the card or note and glue it over back of stitched area, it looks pretty too!

Even though it’s tempting to use a needle with a huge eye that’s easier to thread, try to use a No. 12 needle so you don’t create huge holes in the paper!